Poetry anthology gives voice to unheard people of Scotland
A Scottish literature charity this week publishes an anthology of poetry that gives voice to some of Scotland's unheard groups and voices.
Article Source: Open Book
First Published: 15 December 2020 10:30
Updated: 15 December 2020 10:30
Charity launches anthology of poems giving a voice to Scotland’s unheard people
An anthology of poems by a diverse range of modern Scots, including some from society’s most under-represented groups, is being launched this week.
This Gift of Time comes from Open Book, a charity that runs shared reading groups and creative writing sessions for the general public, multicultural and community groups, the homeless, refugees, prisoners, victims of domestic violence as well as people in care homes, hospitals and hospices.
The pamphlet features 35 poems by groups and individuals and reflects the joys, sorrows and experiences of people of many different ages, communities and backgrounds. Contributions come from Women’s Aid Inverness, Perth Adult Learners, Stranraer Library group, Bethany Christian Trust and more, including three groups in Dundee.
Marjorie Lotfi Gill, a co-founder of Open Book whose own family were refugees from Iran, said: “These poems are a snapshot of the lives of real people in many places across Scotland during challenging times.
“They have a magic about them precisely because they are the thoughts, feelings and experiences of people in shelters, of refugees and a multitude of others. For many of them, the idea that what they have to say matters and will be listened to by others is enormously important. These are the voices of people who are seldom heard, and their life histories and histories really do matter.”
The pandemic meant meetings had to go online and some groups, particularly in care homes, have been suspended.
Claire Urquhart, Director and co-founder, said: “Our whole idea is to use poetry and literature as a tool to bring people together and create connections, so Covid-19 was potentially devastating. Meetings had always been in person and in the space of a fortnight we had to perform a complete about-face to become an organisation that met online.
“But for many people having online sessions helped break the isolation of lockdown. We are ending 2020 with the publication of this new anthology of poems and in total this coming year we’ll deliver around 1,400 sessions for more than 70 groups.”
Among the contributors to the anthology is Rosalind Alexander, a member of the Bugle Group run by Bethany Christian Trust in Edinburgh which meets weekly and which is dedicated to ending homelessness. Each month Open Book runs a creative writing session with the Bugle Group writers.
She said: “This is great news for me, it’s wonderful to have one of my poems published and it’s all part of my journey. It’s my dream to have a book of my poems and photography published one day.”
Rosalind started writing poetry to help her come to terms with difficult experiences in her own life, such as the death of her mother, and has since found that other people find her words helpful. She has very much looked forward to the group’s weekly online meetings during the pandemic.
Another contributor is Andrés N. Ordorica, an Edinburgh-based queer Latinx writer who became involved with Open Book through its BAME Writers group.
He encouraged people to get a copy of This Gift of Time saying: “I believe there is a type of poetry for everyone. I encourage those who might not regularly, or ever, read poetry to start with pamphlets like this one that showcase an array of talent and styles.
“Poetry is beautiful means of capturing human experiences in very succinct ways and can help make sense of the world by adding a bit of lyrical and metaphorical distance from emotions you may be working through. You can walk away thinking ‘okay, that was nice’ and then days later a profound understanding of what you read hits you.”
Minaxi Champaneri, who arrived from India 40 years ago speaking little English but is now a translator, has a poem called Lightness in the collection. She became involved with Open Book through its work with the Maryhill Integration Network in Glasgow.
She said: “When Covid came along my work stopped and I was tearing my hair out and wanting to do something with my time. The Zoom sessions have been wonderful, and so inspiring, it really makes your brain open up and gives you so many ideas. They were so encouraging, and told me I could do it, so I thought to myself ‘why not? I have written poetry in Gujarati, I can do it in English too’.”
Katherine Mackinnon, who is a facilitator at Maryhill and at HMP Greenock, said: “Looking at poetry with people from very different backgrounds and life experiences is highly rewarding, you see poems in very new and different ways. Because Open Book sessions each have a theme they can bring to light all sorts experiences in people’s lives.
“It’s a wonderful thing to do, people find it really joyful. Maryhill has now had a number of pieces published – it’s a powerhouse of poetry production.”
Open Book is developing in many directions. It already has specific BAME and LGBTQ+ groups, has recently set up a Scots language group. A Gaelic one will soon be up and running and there are even hopes of one for Arabic speakers.
• This Gift of Time costs £5 plus postage and will be publicly launched online on 17 December at 7-8pm – join this free event at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/this-gift-of-time-double-launch-tickets-131018516911
• The event will also see the launch of a 50-page booklet of uplifting short stories specially commissioned by Open Book and called Unbound and includes works by Kate Smith, Siân Bevan, Russell Jones, Linda Cracknell, Elspeth Wilson, Lisa Williams, Sophie Law, Kathryn Koromilas, Beth Godfrey, Iain Matheson & Pauline Moore and which costs £6 plus postage.
• Both publications can be bought from the Open Book website at https://openbookreading.com
Image: Claire Urquhart and Marjorie Lotfi Gill
Image credit: Colin Tennant
Latest Fife News
Scottish Ballet delivers new self care workshops for health and social care staff in Scotland
Scottish Ballet have launched a new programme of online workshops for health and social care staff to help build personal resilience and enhance their wellbeing.
A massive cash prize pot is up for grabs for listeners of Forth 1 and Forth 2
Listen to Forth 1 or Forth 2 for your chance to win a share of £1 million with Scotland's Biggest Radio Competition!
National Trust for Scotland: The most romantic local walks in Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland has picked out Scotland’s best romantic walks, area by area, across the country. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Multi Award Winning stage play Adam to be Broadcast on BBC
Adam, the multi-award-winning stage production inspired by the life of Adam Kashmiry, has been reworked for screen and is now set to be broadcast on BBC Scotland in early March.
First ever Virtual Capital Sci Fi Con hopes to raise vital funds for CHAS by reaching worldwide audience
Scotland’s much-loved Capital Sci-Fi Con is set to return for a sixth year on Saturday 13th March 2021 and will be held virtually for the very first time, attracting audiences across the globe.
The Big Project
East Neuk Festival is inviting members of the public to record and share the sights and sounds of the gorgeous East Neuk coastline as part of plans for the festival’s Big Project.
Danni The Champion short film success at International Film Festivals
Danni The Champion, a short film created for Scenes for Survival digital project, achieves success at international film festivals.
Dobbies partner with Too Good To Go in a bid to tackle food waste
The UK's leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies, has partnered with surplus food app, Too Good To Go, in a bid to combat food waste across its stores.
Valentine inspiration from some of the finest chefs and producers in Scotland
Looking for Valentine’s Day inspiration? Check out these hampers and menus from some of Scotland’s finest chefs and producers!
BBC Debate Night is returning for 2021
BBC Scotland's topical TV discussion programme is touring the country virtually, to give the people of Scotland the opportunity to have their say about the issues that matter most to you.
Epic Gameshow is returning and looking for contestants
Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow is returning for a brand-new series with BIG MONEY and a variety of amazing prizes to be won and they are currently looking for fun, confident, outgoing contestants.
Thousands tuned in for National Trust for Scotland Burns Big Night In
Viewers from all around the world tuned in to Burns Cottage on Saturday as conservation charity The National Trust for Scotland hosted its first ever virtual Burns night.
Historic Environment Recovery Fund Grants Awarded
Over £1.9 million has been distributed to help support the recovery of Scotland’s historic environment sector from the impacts of COVID-19.
Scottish Ballet brings the health benefits of dance to your home
Scottish Ballet launches an expanded programme of ballet classes, community engagement programmes and health resources to bring the benefits and joy of dance to everyone!
The Last Dance will premier on Sky Arts this month
Runrig's sell-out farewell concerts, filmed live in front of 50,000 fans by BAFTA-winning Glasgow-based digital entertainment company, Blazing Griffin, receives its UK TV premiere on Sky Arts!
Learn at home whilst exploring Scotland virtually
With schools closed to most pupils, some of Scotland's most popular visitor attractions are offering homeschooling help to parents across the country!
Stroke Association calling for local residents to put in the strides for stroke
The Stroke Association in Scotland is encouraging local residents to get involved in its 'Stride for Stroke' challenge, to walk 10,000 steps a day for 120 days.
Shop local with Bonnie Bairn as the premier pregnancy & family fair in Scotland goes digital
Bonnie Bairn, Scotland's Premier Pregnancy & Family Fair is set to take place online for the first time ever, encouraging a nation of parents to #ShopLocal from the comfort of their own home.
COP26 volunteer programme launches ahead of global event
Glasgow City Council is looking for a team of around 1000 volunteers to support the staging of this globally significant event.
Organisations urged to share innovation success at Datafest21
The Data Lab is calling on organisations contributing towards Scotland’s reputation of being at the cutting edge of innovative technology to share their successes to mark Datafest21.
Dobbies release podcast to mark first Stroke Prevention Day
The UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, teamed up with the Stroke Association to mark Stroke Prevention Day.
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show goes online
Scotland's biggest staycation event, The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show, is going online for 2021 in a free virtual event!
The World Tunes in to Celtic Connections 2021!
With over 10,000 festival passes already sold, 44 countries from around the world will be tuning in to tonight's Celtic Connections Opening Concert!
Wedgwood the Restaurant has created a five course lockdown feast to celebrate Burns Night
Edinburgh’s award-winning Wedgwood the Restaurant is the first restaurant in the UK to launch a ‘Burns Box’, available nationwide, to celebrate Burns Night (25th January) in lockdown.
Charity single released to help give young performers opportunities
Glasgow Philharmonia are well known for their big performances up and down the country... but for the first time ever, they have released a charity single!
Scottish charity set to host the Biggest Online Burns Supper
Specialist charity SBH Scotland is joining forces with international superstar Fran Healy, as well as Scottish comedians Janey Godley & Fred MacAulay to host the world's biggest virtual Burns supper!
Celtic Connections marks one week to go with programme announcement
The Celtic Connections online festival will begin one week today. Across 19 days, the festival will present over 30 online performances between 15th January and 2nd February!
Funding boost for Scottish heritage projects
Brisbane Observatory, Govanhill Baths and The Ridge Foundations CIC are among the latest round of Historic Environment Support Fund recipients!
Santa Claus is coming to town... oh yes he is!
Gather the family around the TV this Christmas and join in the usual fun and frolics of a Pavilion Panto!
Brakes put on Scottish drive in events until 2021
In light of the new Tier restrictions, the Scottish company behind one of the UK's largest drive-in tours, The Parking Lot Social, has been forced to cancel all dates in Scotland for the rest of 2020.
Sponsored Links
